Smoking has been prohibited in most North Carolina restaurants and bars for three years now, since January 2010. The legislation that imposed the smoking ban (S.L. 2009-27) included an exemption for non-profit private clubs—an exemption that began provoking questions before … Read more

UPDATE: I wrote a more detailed manuscript about this issue for the February 2013 county attorneys’ winter conference. It is available here. Later that same month, a NC Attorney General advisory letter addressed this issue and reached conclusions similar to … Read more

UPDATE: In March 2012, the N.C. Court of Appeals held that the smoking law’s exemption for country clubs extends only to nonprofit country clubs. Edwards v. Morrow, 725 S.E.2d 366 (N.C. App. Mar. 20, 2012), appeal dismissed and review denied, … Read more

The new smoking law, S.L. 2009-27, not only prohibits smoking in most bars and restaurants across the state but it also significantly expands local governments’ authority to regulate smoking. Beginning January  2, 2010, local governments may adopt and enforce ordinances, … Read more

Shortly after the 2010 New Years’ celebrations have died down, smoking will be prohibited in most restaurants and bars across the state. In addition, local governments will have new authority to regulate smoking in many public places. The new law … Read more